Tube closure



Aug. 4, 1953 R. R. ROBINSON TUBE ,cwsuma Filed Nov. 7, 1951 INVENTOR.

Y Ronald R .Qabmsbfi B ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1953 Ronald R. Robinson, Morton, 111., assignor to Caterpillar Tractor 00., Peoria, 111., a corporation of California Application November 7, 1951, Serial No. 255,283

2 Claims. (Cl. 220-385) This invention relates to a closure for an upstanding tube and is particularly adapted for use in connection with the filler spout of an engine crank case.

In an engine operating in an environment in which dust and other abrasive materials are present, one of the principal problems encountered is that of preventing the entry of abrasive material into the engine lubricating system. One of the most troublesome sealing problems occurs at the open end of the filling spout for the engine crank case which is normally closed by a removable cover which permits the addition of lubricating oil. Although these caps are usually dust tight, when they are removed to permit the addition of oil to the crank 'case, they frequently collect dirt and other foreign material which When the cap is replaced is deposited either directly into the engine crank case or within the filler spout so that subsequent oil additions carry this material into the engine crank case.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cap for an engine crank case filler spout having retaining means which, when the cap is removed to permit oil additions to the crank case, holds the cap in a protected position adjacent the open end of the filler spout. It is another object of this invention to provide a cap for an oil filler spout having sealing means to prevent the accumulation of foreign material on the filler spout adjacent its open end. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be made apparent in the following specification wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical central section of a crank case filler spout and cap therefor embodying the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a view like Fig. 1 in a reduced scale illustrating the position of the cap when it is removed to permit the addition of oil to the engine crank case.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings a part of the crank case of an engine or the like is indicated generally at ill as having an opening ll communicating with an upstanding tubular member l2 provided to facilitate the addition of lubricating oil to the engine crank case. The tubular member l2 has a flanged portion l3 with openings for the reception of cap screws I4 securing it to the side of the engine crank case ID. A suitable gasket i5 is provided between the flange and the crankcase to provide a fluid and dust tight joint. The upper end of the tubular member is closed 2 by a cup-like cap I6 having a central post H which is provided with a threaded portion [8 adjacent its free end. The threaded end of the post is adapted to be received in a threaded opening [9 formed in a cross bar 20 provided adjacent the open end of the tubular member. At

' its free end 2| the central post I! has an opening for the reception of one end of a flexible chain-like part 22. At its opposite end the chain 22 carries a semi-spherical retainer 23 having a diameter substantially larger than that of the threaded opening l9 in cross bar 20. The chain and stop are provided to permit removal of the cap from the end of the tubular member and to hold it in a protected position adjacent its open end as shown in Fig. 2.

A resilient seal 24 is carried in a groove formed in the interior of the cap and is adapted to be pressed into sealing engagement with the open end of the tubular member [2 by means of an annular plate 25 carried by the cap. The plate bears against a metal sealing ring 26 and is adapted for relative rotation thereon to prevent scutfing of the plate on the seal 24 upon rotation of the cap. An expansible sealing ring 21 is carried in a suitable groove provided in the exterior of the tubular member I2 and is adapted to engage the interior of the cap it adjacent its open end. The sealing ring 21 is provided to prevent the accumulation of foreign material about the outside of the tubular member adjacent its upper end. The open end of the cap is preferably internally beveled as shown in the drawings to facilitate fitting of the cap over the end of the tubular member. The length of the cap is substantally greater than half of its diameter and it therefore maintains a large area clean adjacent the upper end of the tube. Thus when the cap is removed and is suspended by the chain 22 as is illustrated in Fig. 2, the edges of the cap will engage only those parts of the tubular member which have been protected and kept clean. This feature is of particular importance in that it prevents the cap coming in contact with abrasive material which would otherwise accumulate on the tubular member I2 and, when the cap is replaced, be deposited either in the crank case or within the tubular member 82 so that subsequent oil additions would carry it directly into the engine crank case.

I claim:

1. A closure for a substantially upright open ended tubular member comprising a cover member of cylindrical shape having one closed end and adapted to fit over the open end of the tubular 3 member to shield the upper outer portion thereof from contamination, an axially extending post in the cover threaded at its free end, a cross brace adjacent the upper end of the tubular member with a threaded opening therein to receive said threaded end for securing the cover in place, a flexible element depending from the end of the post and: having an; enlarged end; incapable of passing through the threaded opening so that upon removal of the cover, the enlarged end engages the cross brace and supports the cover for engagement only With the protected end of; the tube.

2. A closure for a substantially' upright open adjacent the open end of the cover member-cocperating with the cover to. shield the upper outer portion 0f:- the tubular member from. contamina.- tion, an: axially extending post in the cover threaded at its free end, a cross brace adjacent the upper end of; thetubular member with a threaded opening therein to receive said threaded end for securin the cover in place, a flexible element depending from the end of the post and having an enlarged end incapable of passing through the threaded opening so that upon removal of the cover the enlarged end engages the cross brace and supports the cover for engagemerit only-with the protected end of the tube.

RONALD R. ROBINSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number. Na Date l,0 6 0,6,9,.3, Mueller May 6, 1913 1,286,320 Hood Dec. 3, 1918 1*,40138'35 VanGrsdale Dec. 2'7, 1921 1,7 2 ,75? Behnke June'lfl, 1930 2,528,372 Kellogg Oct. 31, 1950 FQREIGN PATENTS;

Number Country 1 Date 374,284 Italy Aug. 22; 1-929 647,213 France July. 2.4, 1928 

